Systems and methods for dispensing sterile items

ABSTRACT

A dispensing system for items comprises a main housing and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly comprises a carrier reel, distal and proximal take-up reels, and a packaging strip comprising first and second strip portions detachably secured to define a plurality of item chambers, where at least one item is enclosed within each of the item chambers. The main housing assembly defines a dispensing opening and comprises a drive system. The drive system is operatively connected to the proximal and distal take-up reels. Operation of the drive system rotates the distal and proximal take-up reels such that operation of the drive system rotates the distal and proximal take-up reels such that the packaging strip is unwound from the main wheel, the first strip portion is wound onto the distal take-up reel, the second strip portion is wound onto the proximal take-up reel, and the items are dispensed through the dispensing opening.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/893,163 filed Jun.4, 2020, claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/857,160 filed Jun. 4, 2019, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to dispensing systems and methods and,more particular, to systems and methods for dispensing sterile items.

SUMMARY

The present invention may be embodied as a dispensing system for itemscomprising a main housing assembly and a cartridge assembly. The mainhousing assembly defines a dispensing opening and comprises a drivesystem. The cartridge assembly comprises a carrier reel, distal andproximal take-up reels, and a packaging strip comprising first andsecond strip portions detachably secured to define a plurality of itemchambers, where at least one item is enclosed within each of the itemchambers. The carrier reel is adapted to store the packaging strip. Thedistal take-up reel is operatively connected to the first strip portion.The proximal take-up reel is operatively connected to the second stripportion. The drive system is operatively connected to the proximal anddistal take-up reels. Operation of the drive system rotates the distaland proximal take-up reels such that operation of the drive systemrotates the distal and proximal take-up reels such that the packagingstrip is unwound from the main wheel, the first strip portion is woundonto the distal take-up reel, the second strip portion is wound onto theproximal take-up reel, and the items are dispensed through thedispensing opening.

The present invention may also be embodied as a method of dispensingitems comprising the following steps. First and second packaging stripportions are provided. A packaging strip is formed by adhering the firstpackaging strip portion to the second packaging strip portion such thateach of the items is sealed within an item chamber. At least a portionof the packaging strip is arranged on a carrier reel. A first packagingstrip portion end of the first packaging strip portion is secured to adistal take-up reel. A second packaging strip portion end of the secondpackaging strip portion is secured to a proximal take-up reel. Thecarrier reel, the packaging strip, and the distal and proximal take-upreels are supported on a cartridge plate. A cartridge assembly is formedby engaging the cartridge plate with a cartridge housing. A main housingdefining a dispensing opening is provided. A drive system is supportedon the main housing. The cartridge assembly is supported within the mainhousing such that the drive system engages the distal and proximaltake-up reels. Items are dispensed through the dispensing opening byoperating the drive system to rotate the distal and proximal take-upreels such that the packaging strip is unwound from the main wheel, thefirst strip portion is wound onto the distal take-up reel, and thesecond strip portion is wound onto the proximal take-up reel.

The present invention may also be embodied as a dispensing system foritems comprising a main housing assembly and a cartridge assembly. Themain housing assembly defines a dispensing opening and comprising adrive system. The cartridge assembly comprises a cartridge plate, acartridge housing that engages the cartridge plate to define a cartridgechamber, a carrier reel supported by the cartridge plate within thecartridge chamber, distal and proximal take-up reels supported by thecartridge plate within the cartridge chamber, and a packaging stripcomprising first and second strip portions detachably secured to definea plurality of item chambers, where at least one item is enclosed withineach of the item chambers. The carrier reel is adapted to store thepackaging strip. The distal take-up reel is operatively connected to thefirst strip portion. The proximal take-up reel is operatively connectedto the second strip portion. The drive system is operatively connectedto the proximal and distal take-up reels such that operation of thedrive system rotates the distal and proximal take-up reels such that thepackaging strip is unwound from the main wheel, the first strip portionis wound onto the distal take-up reel, the second strip portion is woundonto the proximal take-up reel, and the items are dispensed through thedispensing opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first example dispensing system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the first example dispensing system;

FIG. 3 is a first side elevation view of the first example dispensingsystem;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the first example dispensing system;

FIG. 5 is a second side elevation view of the first example dispensingsystem with a drive cover removed;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a first example main housing assembly ofthe first example dispensing system;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the first example main housing assembly;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a first example cartridge assembly of thefirst example dispensing system;

FIG. 9 is front elevation exploded view of the example cartridgeassembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of the first example cartridgeassembly;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the first example dispensing systemwithout a packaging strip of items to be dispensed for clarity;

FIG. 12 is a first side elevation view illustrating the first examplemain housing assembly and the first cartridge housing assembly without apackaging strip of items to be dispensed for clarity;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view illustrating the cartridge plate,carrier reel, and first and second take-up reels and also depicting apackaging strip of items being dispensed;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view illustrating the main housing,cartridge housing, cartridge plate, carrier reel, and first and secondtake-up reels and also depicting a packaging strip of items beingdispensed;

FIG. 15 is a section view taken along lines 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a section view taken along lines 16-16 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a section view taken along lines 17-17 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a section view taken along lines 18-18 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a detail of FIG. 14;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cartridge bag including a cartridgeassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a section of a first example packaging stripcarrying items to be dispensed;

FIG. 22 is a somewhat schematic side elevation view of a first examplestrip displacement detecting system of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a somewhat schematic side elevation view of a second examplestrip displacement detecting system of the present invention; and

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a section of a second example packaging stripcarrying items to be dispensed;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of a section of a third example packaging stripcarrying items to be dispensed;

FIG. 26 is a somewhat schematic side elevation view of a roller sensorfor measuring linear movement of packaging strip containing items;

FIG. 27 is a somewhat schematic, front elevation view of a cartridgeloading system of the present invention; and

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a second example dispensing system ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawing, depicted therein is afirst example dispensing system 20 constructed in accordance with, andembodying, the principles of the present invention. The first exampledispensing system 20 is configured to dispense items 22.

The first example dispensing system 20 comprises a main housing assembly30 (FIG. 7), a cartridge assembly 32 (FIGS. 9 and 10), a drive assembly34 (FIGS. 5 and 11), and a control system 36 (FIGS. 12, 14, 21, and 22).The example main housing assembly 30 is configured to be supported at apredetermined location such as a wall or podium. The example cartridgeassembly 32 is configured to contain a plurality of the items 22 and isadapted to be detachably supported by the main housing assembly 30. Theexample drive system 34 is adapted to be supported at least in part bythe main housing assembly 32 and may be supported in part by thecartridge assembly 32. The example drive system 34 causes movement thatautomatically dispenses the items 22. The example control system 36 issupported by the at least one of the main housing assembly 30 and thecartridge assembly 32 to control operation of the drive system 34.

With the example cartridge assembly 32 supported by the main housingassembly 30, a user interacts with the control system 36 in apredetermined manner. When the user interacts with the control system 36in the predetermined manner, the control system 36 controls the drivesystem 34 to operate such that an item 22 at least partly extends fromthe dispensing system 20 as shown in FIG. 1. The user grasps and pullson the item 22 to remove the item from the dispensing system 20. Eachitem 22 is dispensed without exposing the next item 22 to be dispensedto contamination.

With the foregoing general understanding of the construction andoperation of the first example dispensing system 20 in mind, the detailsof the first example dispensing system 20 will now be described infurther detail.

The first example dispensing system 20 is configured to minimizecontamination when sterile items are dispensed to multiple successiveusers. The items 22 to be dispensed are thus typically, but notnecessarily, sterile items or products.

As perhaps best shown in FIG. 13, the items 22 to be dispensed aretypically items that can be enclosed in item chambers 40 that form apart of a packaging strip 42 containing a plurality of such itemchambers 40. The items 22 thus exist in a sterile environment whencontained inside the package strip 42.

The width and length dimensions of the item chambers 40 are determinedby the size, dimensions, and characteristics (e.g., relative rigidity)of the particular item 22 to be dispensed. The width dimensions of theitem chambers 40 will in turn determine the width dimensions of thepackaging strip 42. The number of item chambers and the lengthdimensions of the item chambers 40 included in each packaging strip 42will determine the length dimension of the entire packaging strip 42.The characteristics of the items 22 and the width and length dimensionsof the packaging strip 42 will determine the size and dimensions of aroll of the packaging strip 42 containing the items 22 and thus of thefirst example dispensing system 20. The first example dispensing system20 may be scaled up or down to accommodate the characteristics of theitems 22 and the dimensions of the item chambers 40 and the packagingstrip 42 containing the items 22 to be dispensed.

The items 22 may be flexible, such as bandages, face masks, gloves, orthe like, or at least partly rigid, such as cotton swabs, syringes,needles, or the like. If the items 22 are flexible, the longitudinalitem axis of the items 22 may be arranged perpendicular, parallel, orangled with respect to a longitudinal strip axis of the packaging strip42. If the times 22 are at least partly rigid, however, the items 22 maybe arranged such that the longitudinal item axis of the items 22 isangled or perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal strip axis ofthe packaging strip 42 to facilitate rolling of the packaging strip 42as will be described in further detail below.

Each item chamber 40 may contain more than one item. For example, anitem chamber 40 may contain a syringe and a prep pad for sterilizing anarea prior to an injection. As another example, an item chamber 40 maycontain face coverings such as surgical masks and hand coverings such asexamination gloves.

Further, the first example dispensing system 20 may be configured todispense multiple types of items, with item chambers for each item typebeing of different sizes. For example, one item chamber 40 may contain asyringe and the next item chamber 40 may contain a prep pad. In thisfirst example, the syringes when stored may be bigger than prep padswhen stored, in which case the item chambers 40 containing the syringesmay be bigger than the item chambers 40 containing prep pads. As asecond example, the item chambers 40 may alternate between containingface coverings such as surgical masks and hand coverings such asexamination gloves. In the second example, the face coverings whenstored may be bigger than gloves when stored, in which case the itemchambers 40 containing the face coverings may be bigger than the itemchambers 40 containing gloves.

The first example dispensing system 20 is configured to dispense items22 in the form of bandages of the same size, and that application of thepresent invention will be described in reference to the first exampledispensing system 20. The example items 22 will thus alternatively bedescribed herein as bandages of the same size with the understandingthat items other than bandages and of different sizes may form thedispensed items 22.

Referring again to FIGS. 13 and 14 of the drawing, it can be seen thatthe example packaging strip 42 comprises first and second strip portions50 and 52. The strip portions 50 and 52 are detachably attached todefine the item chambers 40. The example strip portions 50 and 52 areimpermeable to contamination and are detachably attached by an adhesivelayer 54 as shown FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 21, the adhesive layer 54 iswithin an adhesive region 56 (illustrated by cross-hatching in FIG. 21)such that the adhesive layer 54 and the material forming the stripportions 50 and 52 forms a seal around each of the item chambers 40 toprevent inhibit contamination of the items 22 during normal use.

The strip portions 50 and 52 and adhesive layer 54 are capable ofsealing the item chambers 40 during normal handling and use of thepackaging strip 42 prior to dispensing of any particular item 22.However, the adhesive 54 is formulated such that the application of apeeling force to the strip portions 50 and 52 allows the strip portions50 and 52 to be peeled away from each other to overcome the adhesion ofthe adhesive 54 without tearing the strip portions 50 and 52. Thestructure of the strip portions 50 and 52, the formulation of theadhesive 54, and the formation of the packaging strip 42 by applying theadhesive 54 in the adhesive region 56 and bringing the strip portions 50and 52 together are or may be conventional and will not be describedherein in detail.

Turning now to FIG. 7, the example main housing assembly 30 will now bedescribed in further detail. The example main housing assembly 30comprises a main housing 120, a drive motor system 122, a sensor system124, a transmission system 126, and a transmission cover 128. Theexample main housing 120 defines first main housing wall 130, a secondmain housing wall 132, a third main housing wall 134, a top main housingwall 136, and a bottom main housing wall 138. A main chamber 140 isdefined by the main housing 120. Contiguous edges of the example second,third, top, and bottom main housing walls 132, 134, 136, and 138 definea main opening 142, and a dispensing slot 144 and a sensor opening 146are formed in the example second wall 132. A drive opening 148 is formedin the first wall 130. The main chamber 140 may be accessed through themain opening 142 and/or the dispensing slot 144. The first exampledispensing system 20 may be supported on a vertical surface (not shown)such as a wall or cabinet by fasteners (not shown) extending throughopenings (not shown) in the first main housing wall 130 or third mainhousing wall 134 or on a horizontal surface (not shown) by fasteners(not shown) extending through openings (not shown) in the top mainhousing wall 136 or bottom main housing wall 138.

FIG. 7 illustrates that a main guide support 150 extends from the firstmain housing wall 130 into the main chamber 140. As best shown in FIGS.14-18, formed in the first main housing wall 130 and extending into themain chamber 140 are first and second strip guide supports 152 and 154,first, second, and third bearing supports 160, 162, and 164 (FIGS. 16and 17), a transmission support 166 (FIG. 17). First and second ringbearing assemblies 170 and 172 are supported by the example first andsecond bearing supports 160 and 162, respectively. A third ring bearingassembly 174 is supported by the third bearing support 164. The exampletransmission system 126 further comprises first and second inner bearingassemblies 176 and 178 support as will be described in further detailbelow. The example inner bearing assemblies 176 and 178 areunidirectional bearing assemblies. The example transmission system 124is supported by the transmission support 166, and the transmission cover128 is detachably attached to the main housing 120 to cover thetransmission system 126 when supported by the transmission support 166.

As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the example drive motor system122 comprises a drive motor 180, a power supply 182, and a controller184. The drive motor 180 defines a drive shaft 186. The example sensorsystem 124 comprises an internal sensor 190, an optional light source192, and an external sensor 194. The main housing 120 supports the drivemotor 180 to engage the example transmission system 124 as will bedescribed in further detail below. The main housing 120 further supportsthe power supply 182 and controller 184 in a location that does notinterfere with mechanical operation of the first example dispensingsystem 20. The main housing 120 also supports the internal sensor 190and light source 192 within the main chamber 140 and the external sensor194 within the sensor opening 146 to allow the controller 184 to controlthe drive motor 180 based on input from the sensors 190 and 194 as willbe described in further detail below.

The example drive motor 180 is an electric motor capable of rotating thedrive shaft 186 based on a motor drive signal generated by thecontroller 184. The example power supply 182 comprises at least one of aconverter for converting AC power to a voltage appropriate for operatingthe drive motor 180 and a battery for generating a voltage appropriatefor operating the drive motor 180. The example controller 184 may beconnected to a main server (not shown) through a WiFi, Bluetooth, and/orother wireless communications system. The controller 184 may transmit tothe main server status information associated with the exampledispensing system 20 such as number of items 22 remaining to bedispensed, battery level, and/or fault conditions. In particular, thecontroller 184 may send a low item notification data signal indicativeof the need to replace an empty or near empty cartridge assembly 32 witha full cartridge assembly 32.

The internal sensor 190 is capable of reading strip data stored on thepackaging strip 42. The data stored on the packaging strip 42 may begraphical data printed on the packaging strip, in which case the lightsource 192 may be used to illuminate the graphical data on the packagingstrip 42. The data stored on the packaging strip 42 may take other formssuch as magnetic, in which case the light source 192 may be omitted. Theinternal sensor 190 generates location data based on the strip data suchthat the controller 184 can generate the motor drive signal at least inpart based on the location of the item chambers 40 relative to thedispensing slot 144.

The external sensor 194 is capable of interacting with a user of thefirst example dispensing system 20. One example of the external sensor194 is a motion sensor that generates a dispense authorization signalbased on movement (e.g., hand motion) indicative of the user's desire todispense an item 22. Other examples of the external sensor 194 includeany sensor or sensor system capable of generating a dispenseauthorization signal, including an optical sensor (e.g., motion orfacial recognition software), a credit card reader for reading creditcard information (e.g., chip or swipe), a near field communication (NFC)sensor capable of reading an identification card or fob, and/or a WiFi,Bluetooth, and/or other wireless communications system.

The example transmission system 126 comprises a primary drive gear 220,a secondary drive gear 222, a tertiary drive gear 224, and first andsecond take-up gears 226 and 228. The gears 220, 222, 224, 226, and 228are supported by the transmission support 166 of the first main housingwall 130 as follows. The primary drive gear 220 is operatively connectedto the drive shaft 186 through the drive opening 148 (FIG. 6) such thatoperation of the drive motor 180 causes rotation of the primary drivegear 220 as shown by Arrow A in FIG. 5. The primary drive gear 220engages the secondary drive gear 222 such that rotation of the primarydrive gear 220 causes rotation of the secondary drive gear 222 as shownby arrow B in FIG. 5. The secondary drive gear 222 engages the tertiarydrive gear 224 and the first take-up gear 226 such that rotation of thesecondary drive gear 222 causes rotation of the tertiary drive gear 224as shown by arrow C in FIG. 5 and the first take-up gear 226 in a firsttake-up gear direction as shown by arrow D in FIG. 5. The tertiary drivegear 224 engages the second take-up gear 228 such that rotation of thetertiary drive gear 224 causes rotation of the second take-up gear 228in a second take-up gear direction as shown by arrow E in FIG. 5, wherethe second take-up gear direction E is opposite the first take-up geardirection D. Operation of the drive motor 180 thus causes rotation ofthe first and second take-up gears 226 and 228 in opposite directionsrelative to the main housing 120. The example transmission system 126 isconfigured such that the first and second take-up gears 226 and 228rotate at the substantially the same angular velocity.

The first and second ring bearing assemblies 170 and 172 support thefirst and second take-up gears 226 and 228 for free rotation relative tothe main housing 120. The first and second inner bearing assemblies 174and 176 are in turn supported by the first and second take-up gears 226and 228, respectively, such that the first inner bearing assembly 176 iscoaxially aligned with the first ring bearing assembly 170 and thesecond inner bearing assembly 178 is coaxially aligned with the secondring bearing assembly 172.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-18 of the drawing, the example cartridgeassembly 32 will now be described in further detail. In FIGS. 9-12 and15-18, the packaging strip 42 and items 22 contained packaged thereinare not depicted for purposes of clarity and simplicity.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate that the example cartridge assembly 32 comprises acartridge housing 240, a cartridge plate 242, a carrier reel 244, adistal take-up reel 246, and a proximal take-up reel 248. The terms“distal” and “proximal” simply differentiate the take-up reels based onwhich take-up reel axis is closer to the axis of the carrier reel, butit is possible that the take-up reel axes could be the same distancefrom the carrier reel axis.

The cartridge housing 240 defines a first cartridge housing wall 250, asecond cartridge housing wall 252, a third cartridge housing wall 254, acartridge top wall 256, and a cartridge inner wall 258. The cartridgeinner wall 258 comprises a first portion 260, a second portion 262, anda third portion 264. A cartridge housing main opening 266 is formed byedges of the second cartridge housing wall 252, third cartridge housingwall 254, cartridge top wall 256, and cartridge inner wall 258. Acartridge housing dispensing opening 268 is formed by edges of thesecond cartridge housing wall 252 and the cartridge inner wall 258. Acarrier reel opening 270, a main guide post opening 272, a strip guidepost notch 274, and first and second take-up reel openings 274 and 276are formed in or defined by the first cartridge housing wall 250.

Turning now to the cartridge plate 242, the example cartridge plate 242is sized and dimensioned to cover the cartridge housing main opening270. A main guide post 280, first strip guide post 282, and second stripguide post 284 extend from the example cartridge plate 242.

As best shown in FIG. 17, a carrier reel support 290 extends from thefirst cartridge housing wall 250. FIG. 16 illustrates that first andproximal take-up reel supports 292 and 294 also extend from the firstcartridge housing wall 250. FIG. 15 illustrates that first and secondstrip portion guides 296 and 298 extend from the first cartridge wall250.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 17, the carrier reel 244 defines a carrier reelhub 320 and first and second carrier reel flanges 322 and 324. FIG. 17shows that a carrier reel hub opening 326 extends from the first carrierreel flange 322 into at least a portion of the carrier reel hub 320 anda carrier reel projection 328 extends from the second carrier reelflange 324. The carrier reel hub opening 326 and carrier reel projection328 are aligned with a carrier reel axis AM defined by the carrier reelhub 320.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 16, the distal take-up reel 246 defines a distaltake-up reel hub 330, a distal take-up reel first flange 332, and adistal take-up reel second flange 334. FIG. 16 shows that a distaltake-up reel hub opening 336 extends from the distal take-up reel firstflange 332 into at least a portion of the distal take-up reel hub 330and a distal take-up reel projection 236 extends from the distal take-upreel second flange 334. The distal take-up reel hub opening 336 anddistal take-up reel projection 236 are aligned with a distal take-upreel axis A1 defined by the distal take-up reel hub 330.

FIGS. 9 and 16 also illustrate that the proximal take-up reel 248defines a proximal take-up reel hub 340, a proximal take-up reel firstflange 342, and a proximal take-up reel second flange 344. FIG. 16 showsthat a proximal take-up reel hub opening 346 extends from the proximaltake-up reel first flange 342 into at least a portion of the proximaltake-up reel hub 340 and a proximal take-up reel projection 236 extendsfrom the proximal take-up reel second flange 344. The proximal take-upreel hub opening 346 and proximal take-up reel projection 236 arealigned with a proximal take-up reel axis A2 defined by the proximaltake-up reel hub 340.

As is apparent from FIGS. 10, 11, 13, and 14, the example carrier reel244 defines an effective storage capability that is larger than,typically more than twice the effective storage capacity of, theeffective storage capacity of each of the first and second take-up reels246 and 248. In particular, the example carrier reel 244 is sized,dimensioned, and configured to store the entire packaging strip 42 withthe items 22 stored thereby. The first and second take-up reels 246 and248 are sized and dimensioned to store the strip portions 50 and 52,respectively, after the items 22 have been dispensed.

To assemble the first example dispensing system 20, the packaging strip42 containing the items 22 is wound onto the carrier reel 244. As shownin FIG. 14, the packaging strip 42 is then extended from the carrierreel 244, around the main guide post 280, and between the first andsecond strip guide posts 282 and 284. As the packaging strip 42 passesbetween the first and second strip guide posts 282 and 284, the stripportions 50 and 52 are separated from each other and extend to the lowerand proximal take-up reels 246 and 248, respectively. In addition, thecarrier reel 244 is arranged such that the carrier reel hub opening 326receives the carrier reel support 290 (FIG. 17). The first and secondtake-up reels 246 and 248 are arranged such that the distal take-up reelhub opening 336 receives the distal take-up reel support 292 and theproximal take-up reel hub opening 346 receives the proximal take-up reelsupport 294 (FIG. 16). The outer most ends of the strip portions 50 and52 of the packaging strip 42 contained on the carrier reel 244 aresecured to the first and second take-up reel hubs 330 and 340,respectively.

The cartridge housing 240 is then fixed relative to the cartridge plate242 to define a cartridge chamber 350, with the carrier reel 244, thefirst and second take-up reels 246 and 248, and the packaging strip 42within the cartridge chamber 350. After the cartridge plate 242 issecured to the cartridge housing 240, the carrier reel projection 328extends through the carrier reel opening 270 (FIG. 17), the first andsecond take-up reel projections 338 and 348 extend through the first andsecond take-up reel openings 276 and 278, respectively (FIG. 16), themain guide post 280 extends through the main guide post opening 272, andthe first and second strip guide posts 282 and 284 extend through thestrip guide post notch 274.

Once the cartridge assembly 32 has been formed, the cartridge assembly32 may be packaged and/or sealed by arranging the entire cartridgeassembly 32 within a cartridge bag 352 (FIG. 20) and/or arranging sealtape (not shown) over any seams or openings defined by the cartridgeassembly 32.

To insert the cartridge assembly 32 into the main housing 120 todispense the items, the cartridge assembly 32 is removed from thecartridge bag 352 and any seal tape removed from the cartridge assembly32. The cartridge assembly 32 is then arranged through the main opening142 of the main housing 120 such that the cartridge housing 240 iswithin the main chamber 140 of the main housing 120. At this point, thecarrier reel projection 328 engages the first ring bearing assembly 170,the distal take-up reel projection 338 engages the first inner bearingassembly 176, the proximal take-up reel projection 348 engages thesecond inner bearing assembly 178, the main guide post 280 engages themain guide support 152, and the first and second strip guide posts 282and 284 engage the first and second strip guide supports 152 and 154,respectively. The cartridge assembly 32 is configured to divide the mainchamber 140 into first portion 360 and a second portion 362 as perhapsbest shown in FIG. 14. The cartridge assembly 32 occupies the firstportion 360, while the drive motor 180, power supply 182, and controller184 are arranged in the second portion 362. A cover, latch, or othermechanism (not shown) may be employed secure the cartridge assembly 32within the main chamber 140 defined by the main housing 120.

With the cartridge assembly 32 secured within the main chamber 140, thefirst and second strip guide posts 282 and 284 are arranged adjacent tothe dispensing slot 144. To prevent contamination of any of the items 22stored in the item chambers 40 defined by the packaging strip 42, atleast a portion of the first item chamber 40 containing an item 22 issealed and arranged between the main guide post 280 and the first andsecond strip guide posts 282 and 284.

Engagement with the external sensor 194 causes the drive motor system122 to operate such that the drive shaft 186 rotates, causing rotationof the first and second take-up reels 246 and 248 through the first andsecond inner bearing assemblies 176 and 178 of the transmission system126. The example transmission system 126 is configured such that thefirst and second take-up reels 246 and 248 rotate at substantially thesame angular velocity.

Rotation of the first and second take-up reels 246 and 248 thus pullsthe first and second strip portions 50 and 52 such that the first itemchamber 40 is displaced between the first and second strip guide posts282 and 284. As a leading portion of the first item chamber 40 isdisplaced between the first and second strip guide posts 282 and 284,the strip portions 50 and 52 defining the first item chamber 40separate. Continued displacement of the strip portions 50 and 52 causethe item 22 within the first item chamber 40 to protrude through thedispensing slot 144 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The user may grasp theitem 22 protruding through the dispensing slot. Engagement with theexternal sensor 194 repeats the process such that the items 22 withinthe next and any successive item chambers 40 of the packaging strip 42are dispensed.

The first example dispensing system allows the next or second itemchamber 40 immediately behind the preceding or first item chamber 40 toremain sealed so that the item 22 in the next or second item chamber 40is not contaminated prior to dispensing. In particular, if the userremoving the item 22 from the first or preceding item chamber 40 touchesand possibly contaminates the first and second strip portions 50 and 52defining the first or preceding item chamber 40, any possiblycontaminated portions of the first and second strip portions 50 and 52are rolled up and away on the first and second take-up reels 246 and 248before the item 22 in the next or second item chamber 40 is dispensed.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 22, the internal sensor 190, the controller184, and the external sensor 194 cooperate to ensure that the drivemotor 180 rotates the first and second take-up reels 246 and 248 througha desired angular rotation necessary to dispense successive items 22 asdescribed above. Preferably, the internal sensor 190 can sense data(e.g., graphic, QR code, magnetic, textural, shape) carried by thepackaging strip 42 to determine linear movement of the packaging strip42 at or near the first and second strip guide posts 282 and 284.

As shown in FIG. 21, the data carried by the packaging strip 42 may takethe form of indicia 370 in form of evenly spaced light portions 372 anddark portion 374 imprinted on the packaging strip 42. In this case, thelight source 192 may be used to facilitate detection of the light anddark portion 372 and 374 as shown in FIG. 22. The example light source192 may be arranged on an opposite side of the packaging strip 42 fromthe internal sensor 190 as shown in FIG. 14 or on the same side as theinternal sensor 190 based on optic needs and space.

FIG. 23 illustrates that the sensor 90 may take the form of a magneticdetector configured to detect passive or active electromagnetic signalsfrom magnetic or other strip (not visible) formed on the packaging strip42.

FIG. 24 illustrates the indicia 370 taking the form of characters 376and 378 indicating the leading and trailing edges of each item chamber40. These characters 376 and 378 may be read by optical characterrecognition or other image analysis techniques.

FIG. 25 illustrates the indicia 370 taking the form of QR codes 380-386indicating the leading and trailing edges and sequential number of eachitem chamber 40. These characters 380-386 may be read by opticalcharacter recognition or other image analysis techniques.

FIG. 26 illustrates the use of a roller sensor 390 to sense movement ofthe packaging strip 42. The roller sensor 390 may be used in addition toor instead of the internal sensor 190 to detect linear movement of thepackaging strip 42 to allow the controller 184 to control of the drivemotor 180 as described below.

Based on linear movement of the packaging strip 42 and the dimensions ofthe item chambers 40, the drive motor 180 may be controlled in real timeto start and stop as necessary to dispense the items 22 in succession asdescribed above.

Optionally, the controller 184 may operate based on open-loop control(without a sensor such as the internal sensor 190). For example, thedrive motor 180 may be stopped and started based on the geometry of thecarrier reel 244 and the first and second take-up reels 246 and 248, thelength of the packaging strip 42, and the number of items 22 of aparticular cartridge assembly 32 previously dispensed at any point intime.

Turning now to FIG. 27, depicted therein is an example loading system420 that may be used to load the cartridge assemblies 32. The examplesystem 420 comprises a fixture 430 and a supply reel 432. The examplefixture 430 supports a feed system 440, a carrier reel tamper 442, acutting system 444, and a take-up reel tamper 446. The supply reel 432contains a quantity of packaging strip 42 sufficient for multiplecarrier reels 244 of the cartridge assemblies 32. The supply reel 432 issupported by the fixture 430, and the fixture 430 further defines aguide surface 450.

In use, a cartridge plate 242 supporting an empty carrier reel 244 andfirst and second take-up reels 246 and 248 is supported by the fixture430. The feed system 440 feeds a free end of the packaging strip 42between the first and second strip guide posts 282 and 284 and the firstand second take-up reels 246 and 248. The free end of the packagingstrip 42 then is guided up to the carrier reel hub 320 by the guidesurface 450. The carrier reel tamper 442 secures the free end of thepackaging strip 42 to the carrier reel hub 320. Pressure or heatsensitive adhesive (not visible) may be used to detachably attach thefree end of the packaging strip 42 to the carrier reel hub. The carrierreel 244 is then rotated to wind the packaging strip 42 onto the carrierreel 244. When the carrier reel 244 is full, rotation of the carrierreel 244 is stopped. A sensor 260 may be supported by the fixture 430 todetermine when the carrier reel 244 is completely loaded.

The cutting system 444 then cuts the packaging strip 42. The take-upreel tamper 446 then secures the free ends of the strip portions 50 and52 of the packaging strip 42 to the take-up reel hubs 330 and 340,respectively. Pressure or heat sensitive adhesive (not visible) may beused to detachably attach the free ends of the strip portions 50 and 52of the packaging strip 42 to the take-up reel hubs 330 and 340,respectively. The example feed system 440 is displaced at leasttemporarily during movement of the take-up reel tamper 446.

The cartridge plate 242 supporting a carrier reel 244 and first andsecond take-up reels 246 and 248 is removed from the fixture 430, andanother cartridge plate 242 supporting an empty carrier reel 244 andfirst and second take-up reels 246 and 248 is supported by the fixture430. The process is then repeated to load the next carrier reel 244.

To minimize waste of product 22, the packaging strip 42 stored on thecarrier reel may have a predetermined number of full item chambers 40separated by blank sections with empty item chambers 42 or a differentadhesive region pattern to facilitate cutting and feeding of the freeend (after the cut) into the empty cartridge sub-assembly and thesecuring of the first and second strip portions 50 and 52 to the firstand second take-up reels 246 and 248, respectively.

Turning now to FIG. 28 of the drawing, depicted therein is a secondexample dispensing system 460 of the present invention. The secondexample dispensing system 460 comprises a podium 462 in addition to thefirst example dispensing system 20. While the first example dispensingsystem 20 is preferably (but not necessarily) supported on a verticalsurface such as a wall or cabinet, the second example dispensing system460 is preferably (but not necessarily) supported on a horizontalsurface such as a floor or the ground.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing system for items comprising: a mainhousing assembly defining a dispensing opening and comprising a drivesystem, and a main housing supporting a main guide support and first andsecond strip guide supports; and a cartridge assembly comprising acarrier reel, distal and proximal take-up reels, a main guide postadapted to engage the main guide support; a first strip guide postadapted to engage the first strip guide support, a second strip guidepost adapted to engage the second strip guide support, and a packagingstrip comprising first and second strip portions detachably secured todefine a plurality of item chambers, where at least one item is enclosedwithin each of the item chambers; wherein the carrier reel is adapted tostore the packaging strip; the distal take-up reel is operativelyconnected to the first strip portion; the proximal take-up reel isoperatively connected to the second strip portion; the drive system isoperatively connected to the proximal and distal take-up reels; andoperation of the drive system rotates the distal and proximal take-upreels such that the packaging strip is unwound from the main wheel, thefirst strip portion is wound onto the distal take-up reel, the secondstrip portion is wound onto the proximal take-up reel, and the items aredispensed through the dispensing opening.
 2. A dispensing system asrecited in claim 1, in which: the main housing assembly comprises a mainhousing supporting first, second, and third bearing assemblies; thecarrier wheel defines a carrier wheel projection adapted to engage thefirst bearing assembly; the distal take-up reel defines a distal take-upreel projection adapted to engage the second bearing assembly; and theproximal take-up reel defines a proximal take-up reel projection adaptedto engage the third bearing assembly.
 3. A dispensing system as recitedin claim 1, in which the cartridge assembly comprises: a cartridgehousing; and a cartridge plate adapted to support the carrier reel andthe distal and proximal take-up reels such that a carrier reelprojection of the carrier reel extends through a carrier reel opening inthe cartridge housing, a distal take-up reel projection of the distaltake-up reel extends through a first take-up reel opening in thecartridge housing, and a proximal take-up reel projection of theproximal take-up reel extends through a second take-up reel opening inthe cartridge housing.
 4. A dispensing system as recited in claim 1, inwhich drive system comprises: a drive motor defining a drive shaft; anda transmission system operatively connected between the drive shaft andthe distal and proximal take-up reels such that operation of the drivemotor causes rotation of the distal and proximal take-up reels.
 5. Adispensing system as recited in claim 4, in which the drive systemfurther comprises: a controller operatively connected to the drivemotor; and an interior sensor arranged to generate a control signalassociated with movement of the packaging strip; whereby the controllercontrols operation of the drive motor based on the control signalgenerated by the interior sensor.
 6. A dispensing system as recited inclaim 4, in which the transmission system comprises a plurality of gearsarranged between the drive shaft and the distal and proximal take-upreels.
 7. A dispensing system as recited in claim 4, in which thetransmission system comprises: a primary drive gear operativelyconnected to the drive shaft; a secondary drive gear arranged to engagethe primary drive gear; a tertiary drive gear arranged to engage theprimary drive gear; a first take-up gear arranged to engage the primarydrive gear; and a second take-up gear arranged to engage the tertiarydrive gear; whereby rotation of the first take-up gear causes rotationof the distal take-up reel; and rotation of the second take-up gearcauses rotation of the proximal take-up reel.
 8. A dispensing system asrecited in claim 5, in which the drive system further comprises anexterior sensor arranged to generate a dispense authorization signalbased on action by a user of the dispensing system, where the controllerfurther controls operation of the drive motor based on the dispenseauthorization signal generated by the exterior sensor.
 9. A method ofdispensing items comprising the steps of: providing first and secondpackaging strip portions; forming a packaging strip by adhering thefirst packaging strip portion to the second packaging strip portion suchthat each of the items is sealed within an item chamber; arranging atleast a portion of the packaging strip on a carrier reel; securing afirst packaging strip portion end of the first packaging strip portionto a distal take-up reel; securing a second packaging strip portion endof the second packaging strip portion to a proximal take-up reel;supporting the carrier reel, the packaging strip, and the distal andproximal take-up reels on a cartridge plate; forming a cartridgeassembly by engaging the cartridge plate with a cartridge housing;providing a main housing defining a dispensing opening; supporting adrive system on the main housing; arranging the cartridge assemblywithin the main housing such that the drive system engages the distaland proximal take-up reels; and dispensing items through the dispensingopening by operating the drive system to rotate the distal and proximaltake-up reels such that the packaging strip is unwound from the mainwheel, the first strip portion is wound onto the distal take-up reel,the second strip portion is wound onto the proximal take-up reel;wherein the step of supporting the drive system on the main housingcomprises the steps of operatively connecting a controller to a drivemotor defining a drive shaft, and operatively connecting a transmissionsystem between the drive shaft and the distal and proximal take-up reelssuch that operation of the drive motor causes rotation of the distal andproximal take-up reels; and the step of operatively connecting thetransmission system between the drive shaft and the distal and proximaltake-up reels comprises the steps of operatively connecting a primarydrive gear operatively connected to the drive shaft, arranging asecondary drive gear to engage the primary drive gear, arranging atertiary drive gear to engage the primary drive gear, arranging a firsttake-up gear to engage the primary drive gear, arranging a secondtake-up gear to engage the tertiary drive gear, arranging the firsttake-up gear such that rotation of the first take-up gear causesrotation of the distal take-up reel, and arranging the second take-upgear such that rotation of the second take-up gear causes rotation ofthe proximal take-up reel.
 10. A method as recited in claim 9, in whichthe step of providing the main housing assembly comprises the step offorming first, second, and third bearing assemblies on a main housing,the method further comprising the steps of: supporting a carrier wheelprojection defined by the carrier wheel with the first bearing assembly;supporting a distal take-up wheel projection defined by the distaltake-up wheel with the second bearing assembly; and supporting aproximal take-up wheel projection defined by the proximal take-up wheelwith the third bearing assembly.
 11. A method as recited in claim 10, inwhich the step of supporting the drive system on the main housingfurther comprises the steps of: arranging an interior sensor to generatea control signal associated with movement of the packaging strip; andcontrolling operation of the drive motor based on the control signalgenerated by the interior sensor.
 12. A method as recited in claim 11,in which the step of supporting the drive system on the main housingfurther comprises the steps of: arranging an exterior sensor to generatea dispense authorization signal based on action by a user of thedispensing system; and controlling operation of the drive motor based onthe dispense authorization signal generated by the exterior sensor. 13.A dispensing system for items comprising: a main housing assemblydefining a dispensing opening and comprising a drive system, a mainhousing supporting a main guide support and first and second strip guidesupports, and first, second, and third bearing assemblies supported bythe main housing; and a cartridge assembly comprising a cartridge plate,a cartridge housing that engages the cartridge plate to define acartridge chamber, a carrier reel supported by the cartridge platewithin the cartridge chamber, the carrier wheel defining a carrier wheelprojection adapted to engage the first bearing assembly, and distal andproximal take-up reels supported by the cartridge plate within thecartridge chamber, where the distal take-up reel defines a distaltake-up reel projection adapted to engage the second bearing assembly,and the proximal take-up reel defines a proximal take-up reel projectionadapted to engage the third bearing assembly a main guide post adaptedto engage the main guide support; a first strip guide post adapted toengage the first strip guide support; and a second strip guide postadapted to engage the second strip guide support, and a packaging stripcomprising first and second strip portions detachably secured to definea plurality of item chambers, where at least one item is enclosed withineach of the item chambers; wherein the carrier reel is adapted to storethe packaging strip; the distal take-up reel is operatively connected tothe first strip portion; the proximal take-up reel is operativelyconnected to the second strip portion; and the drive system isoperatively connected to the proximal and distal take-up reels such thatoperation of the drive system rotates the distal and proximal take-upreels such that the packaging strip is unwound from the main wheel, thefirst strip portion is wound onto the distal take-up reel, the secondstrip portion is wound onto the proximal take-up reel, and the items aredispensed through the dispensing opening.
 14. A dispensing system asrecited in claim claim 13, in which: a carrier reel projection of thecarrier reel extends through a carrier reel opening in the cartridgehousing, a distal take-up reel projection of the distal take-up reelextends through a first take-up reel opening in the cartridge housing,and a proximal take-up reel projection of the proximal take-up reelextends through a second take-up reel opening in the cartridge housing.15. A dispensing system as recited in claim 13, in which drive systemcomprises: a drive motor defining a drive shaft; a transmission systemoperatively connected between the drive shaft and the distal andproximal take-up reels such that operation of the drive motor causesrotation of the distal and proximal take-up reels; a controlleroperatively connected to the drive motor; an interior sensor arranged togenerate a control signal associated with movement of the packagingstrip; and an exterior sensor arranged to generate a dispenseauthorization signal based on action by a user of the dispensing system;whereby the controller controls operation of the drive motor based onthe control signal generated by the interior sensor and based on thedispense authorization signal generated by the exterior sensor.
 16. Adispensing system for items comprising: a main housing assembly defininga dispensing opening and comprising a drive system; a cartridge assemblycomprising a carrier reel, distal and proximal take-up reels, and apackaging strip comprising first and second strip portions detachablysecured to define a plurality of item chambers, where at least one itemis enclosed within each of the item chambers; a drive motor defining adrive shaft; and a transmission system operatively connected between thedrive shaft and the distal and proximal take-up reels such thatoperation of the drive motor causes rotation of the distal and proximaltake-up reels, the transmission system comprising a primary drive gearoperatively connected to the drive shaft, a secondary drive geararranged to engage the primary drive gear, a tertiary drive geararranged to engage the primary drive gear, a first take-up gear arrangedto engage the primary drive gear, and a second take-up gear arranged toengage the tertiary drive gear; whereby rotation of the first take-upgear causes rotation of the distal take-up reel; and rotation of thesecond take-up gear causes rotation of the proximal take-up reel;wherein the carrier reel is adapted to store the packaging strip; thedistal take-up reel is operatively connected to the first strip portion;the proximal take-up reel is operatively connected to the second stripportion; the drive system is operatively connected to the proximal anddistal take-up reels; and operation of the drive system rotates thedistal and proximal take-up reels such that the packaging strip isunwound from the main wheel, the first strip portion is wound onto thedistal take-up reel, the second strip portion is wound onto the proximaltake-up reel, and the items are dispensed through the dispensingopening.